‘We know the political reality’: Congress downplays ‘Vijay for PM’ buzz
Becoming prime minister ultimately depends on securing a majority in the Lok Sabha, says Karti Chidambaram
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, having recently secured power in Tamil Nadu, is beginning to signal national ambitions by projecting Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a potential contender for the prime minister's post in 2029. This move has been met with a measured response from their ally, the Congress party, whose leaders, including Karti Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore, have emphasized that national leadership requires a Lok Sabha majority and cautioned against what they term a "fan club mindset." The push for Vijay's national candidacy has been bolstered by endorsements from TVK ministers, who have publicly backed him for the top national office and highlighted the potential for a South Indian prime minister.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, having recently secured power in Tamil Nadu, is beginning to signal national ambitions by projecting Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a potential contender for the prime minister's post in 2029. This move has been met with a measured response from their ally, the Congress party, whose leaders, including Karti Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore, have emphasized that national leadership requires a Lok Sabha majority and cautioned against what they term a "fan club mindset." The push for Vijay's national candidacy has been bolstered by endorsements from TVK ministers, who have publicly backed him for the top national office and highlighted the potential for a South Indian prime minister.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, having recently secured power in Tamil Nadu, is beginning to signal national ambitions by projecting Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a potential contender for the prime minister's post in 2029. This move has been met with a measured response from their ally, the Congress party, whose leaders, including Karti Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore, have emphasized that national leadership requires a Lok Sabha majority and cautioned against what they term a "fan club mindset." The push for Vijay's national candidacy has been bolstered by endorsements from TVK ministers, who have publicly backed him for the top national office and highlighted the potential for a South Indian prime minister.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which came to power in Tamil Nadu in a surprise victory in the assembly polls, has begun signalling its national ambitions, with a section of party workers projecting Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a potential contender for the prime minister’s post in 2029.
However, the party’s key ally, the Congress, has sought to play down the campaign, saying TVK leaders and workers are aware of the political realities in the country.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said on Monday that while party workers may have deep admiration and expectations for their leader, becoming prime minister ultimately depends on securing a majority in the Lok Sabha.
“I fully accept that they have great love, affection, expectation and admiration for their party leadership. This is their party. What they say within their party makes no difference to the public discourse. In public discourse, what you should ask about is policy and the law. Their wishes within a party make no difference to me,” Chidambaram said.
He pointed out that under the Constitution, the leader of the party or alliance that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha becomes prime minister.
“Anyone who achieves that number can become the prime minister, individually or collectively. You and I both know what that political reality is,” he added.
Earlier, Congress leader Manickam Tagore criticised the projection of Vijay as a future prime minister, saying TVK leaders were still operating with a “fan club mindset”.
“They are still in fan club mode. Those who are in fan club mode cannot be changed,” Tagore said.
The campaign to project Vijay as a future prime minister gained momentum after Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Minister Sarathkumar praised the actor-turned-politician’s work ethic in the state Assembly and backed him for the top national post.
“Our leader, who is a CM in our hearts, home and St George’s Fort, is the next Indian PM. You are the next PM. You work without looking at AM or PM, you are definitely the next PM,” he said.
Last week, another TVK leader and state minister, Aadhav Arjuna, said that the next prime minister should emerge from the South, a remark widely seen as an endorsement of Vijay’s national ambitions.